BY LEE PFEIFFER
Remember when spy movies used to stress intricate plot lines and intriguing characters, as opposed to over-the-top action sequences? If you pine for the days of thrillers like The Spy Who Came in From the Cold and The Quiller Memorandum, then the Warner Archives' release of the 1985 movie Code Name: Emerald should fit the bill. Never heard of the film? Neither had I until a review copy arrived from the studio. There's an inherent prejudice that most of us have regarding movies that we haven't heard of - namely, if it's obscure, then it must be bad. Emerald proves, however, that some truly fine films are merely the victim of bad marketing or audience indifference. I'm not sure if this movie ever received a theatrical release, but it's certainly a worthwhile venture.
Ed Harris (who resembles the young Robert Duvall, not only physically, but in terms of mannerisms, as well) plays a triple agent - an American working for British Intelligence who poses as a valued collaborator for the Germans, even though he's really with the Allies. Got that? (Then please explain it to me!). Harris is sent on a perilous mission to occupied Paris when a key American soldier (Eric Stoltz) is captured. Stoltz is an "Overlord", one of the few men who know the time, date and landing locations for the forthcoming D-Day invasion. If the Germans can break him, the entire invasion would be jeopardized. The Germans plant Harris as a cellmate of Stoltz in the hopes of getting the vital information. Of course, Harris reveals his identity to Stoltz and the two contrive to convince the Germans that the false information they are discussing is genuine. What makes the screenplay by Ronald Bass (based on his novel The Emerald Illusion) so compelling are the twists, turns and unexpected developments. Unlike many films, the Germans are not presented as gullible dupes. Instead, they become suspicious of Harris, thus setting in motion some genuinely suspenseful sequences.
Harris is very effective in a low-key, convincing performance, but the
scene-stealers are among the sterling cast of supporting actors: Horst
Bucholz, Helmut Berger and Max Von Sydow, all excellent. There is also
imaginative use of French locations and a lush score by John Addison.
This appears to be the only feature film directed by Jonathan Sanger,
who went on to be an Oscar-winning producer. Too bad, as he has a real
flair for bringing a suspense story to the screen. Code Name: Emerald may
not be a classic, but it deserved a far better fate, as it's much more
impressive than many of today's overblown, over-budgeted thrillers.